Type distributing apparatus



. 4Sheets--Sheet 2. L. K. JOHNSON 8v A. A. LOW.

(No Model.)

.TYPE DISTRIBUTING APPARATUS. No. 340,124. PatentedApno, 1886.

4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

L. K. JGHNSON 8v A. A. LOW.

TYPE DISTRIBUTING APPARATUS.

No. 340,124. YPatented Apr. 20,1886.

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` (No Model.) 4 sheets-sheen 4. L. K. JOHNSON & A. A. LOW.

TYPE DISTRIBUTING APPARATUS.

PatentedApr. 2o, 1886@ mmmmwmmmmmwmmmmmmmw N4 PETERS. Pham-mhognphar,wnshmgmn. D. c.

Unirse STATES PATENT Ottica.

LOUIS K. JOHNSON AND A. AUGUSTUS LOW, OF BROOKLYN, ASSIGNORS TO THEALDEN TYPE MACHINE COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

TYPE-DISTRIBUTING APPARATUS.

SPECFCATON forming part of Letters Patent No. 340,124, dated April 20,1886.

Application tiled May 12, 1884. Serial No. 131,261. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern,.-

Be it known that we, LOUIS K. JOHNSON and A. AUGUSTUS Low, citizens ofthe United States, residing in the city of Brooklyn, in the county ofKings and State of New York, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Type- Distributing Apparatus, of which the following isa specification.

Our presentimprovementsrelate to the form to of distributing apparatusset forth in our application for patent, No. 78,535, tiled December 6,1882, in which a duplex bank of con` duits or receiving-table isemployed, having two groups or divisions ot' conduits, sufcient i5 innumber to accommodate a single font or case of type between them,arranged at suitable opposed angles, back to back, the upper ends ofboth series being inclined toward each other, so thatthe receiving endsof both sets of 2c conduits are brought into proximity, and having anindependent receiving surface or plate arranged in conjunction therewithto receive and conduct the types of one division into their respectiveconduits, such receivingplate occupying a plane substantially parallelto that occupied bythe other division of the conduits.

Our mprmf'ements are the result of investigation and experiment for thepurpose of rendering this system of hand distribution as simple,economical, and practicable as possi-` ble. They are designed, moreespecially, to positively insure the descent of all types through theirconduits and their transfer therefrom to the containing-channel upon thedat or broad side, and to render the receivers and conduits so thataccess may be had to them at all times, notwithstanding the positiveconstruction employed to control the descent of the types on the flat.

One feature ofour invention in this connection consistsin mounting suchseries of receiving-plates upon the tablein such manner that they may heturned back away from the conduit-plate in order to give ready access tothe latter when desired.

In our present arrangement the conduits in the right-hand division ofeach case or bank are provided with the old form ot'elevated andoverlapping receivers, similar to the manner 5o shown and described informer patents, the only feature ofnovelty being that each receiver isprovided with atransverse guard rail or bar, which prevents the descentof a type unless the latter is resting upon its tlat or broad side. rlhesame provision is made in connection with the receiving-plates for theleft-hand division of the conduits by gage-projections which descend theproper distance into the receivers. 6o

As hereinbefore indicated, it is to be observed that the types leave theupper receivers and enter into the left-hand division ofthe conduitsatan opposed angle thereto, as in our application before mentioned. Inorder to guide the types accurately into these conduits Aand to guardagainst their turning upon their longitudinal axes or becoming derangedin position, owing to any tendency to rebound after contact with thedoor ofthe conduits, we have 7o devised and arranged guiding andcontrolling surfaces at or just above the pointof incidence between thereceivers and conduits, by which the types are transferred evenly andgently to the conduits without danger of derangementor change ofrelative position. In this connection our invention also includes makingthese guiding and controlling surfaces adjustable with relation to thelower ends of the receivers, so as to adapt the apparatus to different8o sizes and styles of types.

For similar reasons the guard rails or projections into the receiversfor controlling thepassage of the types on their ilat sides are madeadjustable with relation to the floors of the receivers, and the ends ofthe receivers themselves are also made adjustable with relation to thefloors of the conduits, in order to conform to the other adjustmentsofthe parts for the different sizes of type. 9o

In the accompanying drawings, which represent sufcient of a distributingapparatus of this class to illustrate the application of ourimprovements, Figure l is a top View of a doubledistributing-tableadapted to thesimultaneous use of operators stationed centrally uponopposite sides of the apparatus. Fig. 2

is a vertical longitudinal section on plane of havingjust entered theconduit and anotheras passing from the mouth of the receiver and underthe guard or check, which prevents the passa-ge of all types unless theyrest with one ot'their broad sides upon the floor of the receiver, andanother type as passing under a corresponding guard or check,siinilar inprin'- eiple but diti'erent in construction, arranged l'or the samepurpose above the receivers upon the right-hand division ofthe duplexconduitbank. Fig. 4 is a similar view upon a plane which shows theinterior of one ofthe receivers formed in the thirdorlowerreceiver-plate,

v one type being shown in transition through the curved passage l'ormedby and between the end ol the receiver-canal and the adjust-able guidingand controlling surl'ace,while another is shown as standing in the mouthVot' the re ceiver upon one of its edges or narrower sides, and hence asbeing prevented from passing through the receiver by the guard or check.

Fig. 5 is a vertical elevation ofthe left division ot' the duplexconduit-bank, showing the adrjustable. rack ol' guidingand controllingfingers in position, the receiver-plates being swung back from the conduit-plate, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a rear Viewot' the lower or base-plate ofthe receivers,showing the screws l'oradjusting the plates with relation to each other to compensate forvariations in the sizes and styles ot type. Fig-Tis an end elevationofthe receiving plates. showing one ol' the binding-screws by which theplates are held together, and two ol' the set-screws hy which the upperor first plate is adjusted.

Fig. 8 is a cross-section otthe conduit-bed of' the lel't division and aplan ofthe middle or second receiving-plate. Fig. 9 is a similar viewot' the conduit-hed and the base or third receiving-plate, showing twoofthe adjustable rests or screws for regulating the position of thereceivers with relation to the conduits. Fig. l0 is a view of the upperedge ot' the rack of transfer or controlling lingers, and Fig. 1l anelevation ol' the same at right angles to Fig. 10. Fig. 12 is anelevation ofthe adjustable guard or check used upon the upperreceiving-plate, a portion ol' the latter being shown in sectionunderneath. Fig. 13 is an elevation ol' one of theguards used inconnection with the receivers and conduits upon the right-handdivisionol'the duplex bank. Fig. 14 is a sectional view showing one ofthe receivers, ot' cupping l'orm or circular in crosssection, and acorrespondingly-shaped guard projecting therein.

In the drawings, the two type-receiving systems or cases C are arrangedupon an A-shaped frame or support, A, situated at or near the center ofthe base-plate or table B. Upon the Y inclined sides of the support Aare arranged a suitable number of conduits, a, which convey the typesinto the removable containinglchannels b, in the usual manner, in whichlatter the types are forwarded bya reciprocating pusher, P, of'similarconstruction and operation to that shown and described in ourapplication for patent tiled December 6, 1882.A

This is a double comb-pusher which acts `alternately upon the types inthe containingchannels situated upon the opposite inclined sides of thcduplex bank, and, being made of sutcient length, will answer to forwardthe types from both cases,G G,with equal facility, thus avoiding theduplication of partsinvolved in our former duplex distributing-easepatented August 14, 1883, No. 282,988.

It will be remembered that the necessary conduits for each case aredivided upon opposite inclined sides of the frame or support A, andconsequently by this arrangement we are enabled to accommodatethereceivers, containing-channels, 8vo., for two cases in little more spacelaterally than that formerly required l'or a single case. The economythus attained in door-space is obvious, as well as the advantage ofdispensing with one powerbelt or other source ot' motion.

In Fig. 1 ot' the drawings the adjustable guards, Snc., are omitted fromthe case shown upon the upper side ofthe sheet for the purpose ol'showing the receivers, &c., more clearly.

The receivers for the conduits upon the right division of each case areelevated slightly and overlap each other, as in our patent ot' August14, 1883, No. 282,988, and this side of the rase is designed, moreespecially,'forthe reception of those denominations ot' type which areleast -frequently used, the commonertypes heilig deposited upon the nestof receivingabove.

In order to prevent the descent ot' the type into the containingchannels b, in any otherposition than upon their llat or hroad sides, wearrange guards a', above the lloors ol' the receivers, in such positionthat the typesare obliged to pass thereunder before they can enter thecond nits. the space between the floor plates D ofthe receiver and thelower edge ol' the guard ,beingjust sniticient to allow a particularsize of type to pass.- These guards are prel'erably made in the `form ofcontinuous rails` or bars- `one for each tier ol' receivers-havingdownwardly-projecting tongues ai, which coincide with and enter thereceivers at the required depth. For the double purpose of attaininggreater accuracy in adjustment, and to adapt the apparatus l'or use indistributing dilferent sizes and styles ot` types,'we make these guardsa adjustable.

a variety ot' ways, that shown in the drawings consisting in pivotingthemk between lOO This may he-accomplished in sconce s standards a3 asupon the conduit-bed and securing them at any desired inclination withrelation to the receivers by set-screw nuts a4, engaging with thethreaded ends of their piv ots and binding against the sides of thestandards a, as illustrated in Fig. 13. These guards are also preferably madeof sutticient width to extend upward and act as shelves or rests tointercept any types that may accidentally be dropped by the operator,and prevent their falling upon the containingchannels and contentsbelow. Such misplaced types are thus retained in a position to bequickly and conveniently removed, and much delay and confusion isthereby avoided. These broad-surfaced guards a also afford a convenientsupport for the interchangeable denominationmarks a5, which are designedto be used in connection with the receivers. Asina former applicationfor patent for typesetting appa. ratas, these denomination-marks areadapted to be inserted in any of a series of holes, a, which in thepresent case are arranged upon the guards or shelves a at pointscoinciding with the centers of the receivers. The conduits upon the leftdivision of each bank or case extend upward to the apex of the angleformed bythe inclination of the two divisions, and the types areconducted into them from independent receivers d, situa3ed in front ofthem.

As before mentioned, the principle of construction here involved issubstantially the saine as that shown in our former application forpatent; but we have found that the dctails of construction can be somodified and improved as to insure more uniform and perfect results. Forinstance, in the present case we guard efectually against derangement orchange, from the required position, ofthe descending type by positivemeans, and preventI any sudden concussion or rebound during the actualtransition of the types from the re ceivers to the conduits.

1n order to obtain receivers of sufficient width to admit of droppingthe types therein quickly and without any great degree of accuracy, weform them in a series of two, three, or more (preferably three) plates,D D2 D, which are superimposed and sccu red together by binding-screwsd* d", or by other suitable means. The receivers d d'2 el in theseplates, when in position in front of the conduits, coincide andcommunicate consecutively with the conduits, as will be seen byreference to Figs. l, 8, and 9that is to say, the receivers in the tirstor upper plate communicated in order with the first, fourth, seventh,and tenth conduits, those in the middle or second plate with the second,fifth, eigth, and eleventh conduits, and those in the third orbase platewith the third, sixth, ninth, and twelfth conduits, respectively, and soon to the end ot' the series. .Ve are thus enabled to form compara`tively wide receivers in the plates, and by making the latter taperingin forni toward their upper ends and converging them together, as shownin Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4, we practically present them in almost the sameplane and in convenient proximity to each other for use.

The receiving-platesD may be attached permanently in position in frontof the conduitplate, if desired; but we prefer to mount them, so thatthey may be swung back away from the conduits when desired to giveaccess to the latter or to the lower end of the. receivers. This may beaccomplished in any desired manner, that shown in the drawingsconsisting in mounting them upon swinging levers or braces E2 E, pivotedto the bed or table of the apparatus, so that the plates may be swungback in the manner indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 2, suitable stops,e e, being formed upon the braces E' and their bearings E' to preventtoo great an extent ot' motion and to support the parts in the requiredposition.

As before indicated, the lower ends of the receivers descend to theconduits in the form of convex curves c c, of sufcicut radius to avoidundue abruptness in the transfer ofthe types to the conduits. Theconcave iingerpieces f, which act in conjunction with the curved ends cc of the receivers, are preferably attached to a common back or rack, E,

`(sec Figs. 1,3, 4, 5, l0, and 11,) extending across the upper faceofthe conduits, upon the lioors of which they rest.

It will be noticed that the guides or iingers ff are of ditf'crentlengths, to conform to the diti'erei'icein position and elevationbetween the convex extremities c c of the several receivers plates, andthat the upper plates. D' D2, are formed with recesses orslots r r,which allow the guides or fingers fj', which act in conjunction with thelower plates, to project or pass through.

The concave fingers or guidesffmay be formed to project upwardpermanently from the iioors of the conduits, it' desired, or may beattached to the plates themselves; but to attain accuracy inadjustnient,and also for the purpose of adapting the device to thedistribuiion of different sizes and thicknesses of type, we prefer tomake them adjustable with relation to the ends of the receivers. rlhisis accomplished in the drawings by two fixed screws, ]"j", which engagewith female threads formed in the ends f'ifl of the rack or it maybeeffected in any other convenient or well-known manner.

For similar reasons the receiving-plates are made adjustable withrelation to each other and to the conduits. the extreme lower ends ofthe convex receiverfloors project into the conduits slightly in thedrawings. This is because all the other parts are shown as set close;or, in other words, adjusted to the size of the smallest type to beused. When itis desired to distribute a type of greater thick ness,thereceiving-plates D are adjusted bodily away from the conduits therequired distance by set-screws s s passing through the conduit-bed andconsisting ot" IOO IlO

IIS

It will be noticed that gage-rests, against which the receiving-plates Dare supported.

The object in adjusting the plates with relation to each other is toregulate the size ot' the canals or passages formed between them forconducting the types, the under sides of the upper plates being formedwith tongues orprojections t t, which enter the grooves in the face oftheplates next immediately below, and thereby prevent the passage of thetype unless of the proper size and upon the iiat.

' In fact, these projections t t constitute the I to each otheriseffected by loosening` the bindingscrew d4 d4 and then setting thebearingscrews c c, Figs. 3 and 7, as desired, and again clamping theplates together in such new position by the bindingscrews d4 d.

The bottoms ofthe receivers l may be made semicircular in cross-section,if desired, for the purpose of more accurately centraliziug types thatmay be dropped therein, in which case the guards c2 or t will becorrespondingly shaped, as indicated in Fig. 14.

1n general construction and operation the apparatus herein shown anddescribed resembles that shown and claimed in applications No.78,535,tiled December, 1882, No. 144,776, tiled October 6, 1884, and No.156,60L`iled February 24. 1885, and we do not seek to claim herein thefeatures that are specilically claimed in either ot' the applicationsreferred to; but

What we do claim as our invention, and desire to secuie by LettersPatent, is-

1. ln a typedistributing apparatus substantially such as hereindesignated, the combination, with a. typereceiver, of a guard-rail orgage-plate projecting into the receiver at al point between its widenedreceiving-surface, upon which the types are dropped, and its narrowerportion, through which they pass to the conduits, for the purposedescribed.

2. In a type-distributing apparatus substantially such as hereindesignated, the combination, with a type-receiver, ot' a guard rail orgage plate projecting into the receiver at a stale-i.

ceiving-ch'annels, thelower ends'of which form Y convex curves whichconduct the types into conduits placed atan opposed angle to that of theplates, in combination with the saidconduits for conducting the typeinto the contain-` ing-channels, substantially in the manner and for thepurpose described.

4. In a type-distributing apparatus substan tially as described, aseries of superimposed receiving-plates, the vupper ones ot' which areformed with tongues or projections which enter a prescribed distanceinto the type-channels formed in those next immediately below, for thepurpose and substantiall y in the manner described. i

5. In a typeedistributing apparatus substantially such as described, aseries of superimposed receiving-plates, the yupper ones of which yareformed with tongues or projections which enterthe type-channels formedin those next immediately below, the said receivingplates beingadjustable upon and with rela"- tion to each other, for the purpose andsub' stantiallyfin the manner described.

6. In a type-distributing apparatus substantially such as described, thecombination,with the intermediate conduit-plates which conduct the typesto the containing-channels, of a series of superimposed plates formedwith receiving-chan nels, thclower ends ot' which form convex curveswhich conduct the types int-o the conduits which are opposed ininclination to the receiving-plates, which latter are adjustable withrelation to the said intermediate conduit-plates, for the purposeandsubstantially in'the manner described.

7. In a type-distributing apparatus substantially such as described, thecombination, with the conduits and with the convex ends of thereceiverchannels, of concave receiving and guiding surfaces opposedthereto, arranged in connection with the conduits, for the purpose andsubstantially in the iiianner described.

8. In atype-distributing apparatus substantially such as designated, thecombination, with the conduits for conducting the types to thesetter-channels and with the convex re-v ceiver-channels, lof concavereceiving and controlling surfaces or guides which are adjustablel withrelation to the said receiver-chan- IIC nels, substantially in themanner and for the l duits, substantially in the manner and for thepurpose described.

LOUIS K. JOHNSON. A. AUGUSTUS LOW.

Witnesses:

GEO. W. MIATT, WMf

